Catholic Home Missions Allocates $3.4 Million to Aid Dioceses in Recovery from Natural Disasters

December 5, 2013

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB)
Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions awarded nearly $3.4 million in grants to
six dioceses and two archdioceses that have been severely impacted by natural
disasters in the U.S. The grants were awarded at the Subcommittee's meeting in
Baltimore on November 12.

"These grants are a testimony to the compassion and
solidarity of U.S. Catholics," said Bishop Peter F. Christensen of Superior,
Wisconsin, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions. "When
each of the natural disasters struck, people were quick to give. Even times of
economic hardship did not prevent this tremendous generosity."

Funds for the disaster relief grants come from two separate
appeals. After Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in late 2012, dioceses were
asked to help by taking up a special collection. Remittances from this appeal
were split between Catholic Charities USA, which supplied immediate
humanitarian assistance, and the USCCB, which would address the longer-term
reconstruction needs of dioceses. The Committee on National Collections tasked
the Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions with allocating the USCCB's portion
of the funds.

The Subcommittee awarded grants to the Archdiocese of Newark
and the dioceses of Brooklyn, Camden, Rockville Centre, and Trenton. Funds will
address the damage to parishes, Catholic schools and other diocesan properties
not covered by insurance.

"Donors should know that each contribution to the disaster
relief fund builds up the Church of God in a very concrete way," said Bishop
Christensen. "I thank you on behalf of the dioceses afflicted. In addition to
churches, these grants will fund the repair of Catholic schools and other
parish buildings essential to the faith life of the communities."

In May 2013, the U.S. bishops were encouraged to hold a
special collection to assist the victims of tornados and storms. Again, funds
were divided between Catholic Charities USA and USCCB. From the USCCB's share
of that appeal, just under $890,000 was granted to the Archdiocese of Denver
and the dioceses of Fairbanks and New Ulm.

The Archdiocese of Denver was impacted significantly by a
week-long series of storms that caused devastation by floods and mudslides. The
village of Galena in the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, suffered flooding so
severe it was deemed a "500 Year Event" by federal officials. The flooding caused
damage to almost every structure in the village. Two parishes in the rural St.
Isidore Area Faith Community in the Diocese of New Ulm suffered damage from
summer storms. Impacted properties include a church roof, steeple, and parish
cemetery.

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